The Olympic Dressage team has departed for Europe, where they will continue training at Chef D'Equipe Klaus Balkenhol's farm in Rosendahl, a small town in North Rhine-Westphalia. Of course no honor is achieved without sacrifice, at least according to a Dressage Daily article.

"Debbie McDonald drinks a fruit smoothie when it's hot or a coffee frappacino but she added that it's hard to find the drink in Europe as there are no Starbucks near Klaus Balkenhol's yard."

This is Debbie McDonald and Brentina in the Grand Prix special at the Olympic Trials:

There is a purpose to her sacrifice - the team's time in Germany will also serve as the required quarantine period. From Frankfurt, it is a non-stop 11 or 12 hour flight to Hong Kong.

Fortunately, there are Starbucks in Hong Kong -- over 100 of them. With any luck, someone can make a run for her to the New Town Plaza in Shatin, the city where the Hong Kong Equestrian Center is located.

Caffeine is not a prohibited substance for dressage riders, as far as I know, anyway -- correct me if I am wrong! -- though some horses might prefer it were.